This upcoming PRIM&R webinar will bring together national experts to explore how research oversight can be strengthened through principled regulatory flexibility. With an overview of the newly launched National Advisory Council for Human Research Protections (NACHRP), this session will discuss the council’s purpose, emerging priorities, and the implications for IRBs, HRPPs, and the broader research oversight community.
This presentation will introduce what “unchecking the box” means, which is especially important given the Revised Common Rule (2018) but no current federal guidance on the implications or allowances resulting from unchecking the box. The presentation will highlight how regulatory flexibility is designed to offer broader approaches to human subjects research review, when grounded in ethical principles and well-documented judgment, can reduce administrative burden, maintain review quality, and continue to ensure research protections.
Participants will be introduced to concepts of regulatory flexibility, self-reflect on navigating institutional culture, and applying sound reasoning to strengthen participant protections while improving operational efficiency. This session is designed for IRB professionals, HRPP leaders, investigators, and compliance staff seeking a clearer, more confident understanding of how to use regulatory flexibility responsibly.